AEC wastes taxpayers’ funds chasing frivolous claims: Kelly

The United Australia Party’s Craig Kelly has labelled the AEC’s failed lawsuit against him over ‘non-compliant federal election campaign material’ as a shocking waste of taxpayers’ money.

The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) had argued campaign posters used by Mr Kelly in the run up to the 2022 Federal Election did not have the required authorisations clearly visible.

However, the matter has this week been dismissed in the Federal Court with Justice Steven Rares tossing the lawsuit and ordering the AEC to pay legal costs.

During the proceedings, Mr Kelly’s barrister Christopher Ward SC had argued the font size used was the same used by Mr Kelly when he was formerly campaigning as a member of the Liberal Party and was no different to the size used by other political parties during the 2022 election race.

“It was a stitch up right from the start. This was a malicious prosecution over a totally frivolous matter which was rightly thrown out of court,” Mr Kelly said.

“It should never have gone to court in the first place. What a shocking waste of taxpayer’s money,” he said.